A gross misconduct hearing has found that a former police constable would have been dismissed if she were still a serving officer.
A gross misconduct hearing heard that former PC Samantha Lee provided misleading information to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and also failed to properly investigate allegations that Couzens exposed himself.
The hearing was to determine whether her actions breached the standards of professional behaviour in relation to honesty and integrity and duties and responsibilities.
The allegation that she breached the standard of honesty and integrity was found proven at gross misconduct. The allegation that she breached the standard of duties and responsibilities was found proven at misconduct.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said: “I recognise this entire case has raised concerns and questions.
“An independent IOPC investigation concluded former PC Lee should face a misconduct hearing for allegations about her honesty and integrity, and how she carried out her duties and responsibilities.
“Today, a panel led by an independent chair, found that her actions fell below the professional standards expected of her.
“As the panel has made clear, honesty and integrity are fundamental to policing and our relationship with the public.
“The purpose of the gross misconduct hearing was not to decide whether Wayne Couzens’ future offending could have been prevented.
“The wider circumstances leading to Sarah Everard’s terrible murder will be considered by the Angiolini Inquiry and any subsequent inquest, and we are fully assisting them with their vital work.
“Fundamentally, I am sorry that Couzens was not arrested before he went on to murder Sarah Everard and we continue to think of her loved ones.
“We know that in recent years the Met’s response to violence against women and girls has not been good enough. We are working hard with survivors, communities and partners to improve our response and rebuild trust.”
On February 28, 2021, the Met received an allegation of previously unreported exposures at a fast food restaurant in Swanley, Kent.
Then-PC Samantha Lee, who resigned in 2022, was assigned to follow up the report with a face to face appointment on March 3, 2021.
The panel heard that former PC Lee attended the appointment and spoke with a member of staff.
Wayne Couzens had been identified as the registered keeper of the car used by the suspect. At that time former PC Lee did not know that he was also a police officer.
The panel heard allegations that she failed to properly investigate the offence. She didn’t make adequate CCTV enquiries, record statements, or make enquiries over who was driving the car.
The panel then heard she provided misleading information to the Independent Office for Police Conduct when questioned about her conduct.
The misconduct hearing was led by an independent legally qualified chair between Monday, 15 May and Tuesday, 23 May.
Former PC Lee, who was based at the South Area Basic Command Unit when she was assigned to the case, will be added to the Barred List held by the College of Policing.
This means she cannot be employed by police, local policing bodies (PCCs), the Independent Office for Police Conduct or Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.
The gross misconduct hearing followed the conviction of Couzens for three counts of exposure.
We expect the circumstances of Sarah’s murder to be considered by the Coroner at an inquest in due course. While we appreciate there are many questions, we do not wish to say anything that could impact on that process or the ongoing independent Angiolini Inquiry.
+ This case has, understandably, raised questions about our approach to investigating indecent exposure, and we have been taking steps to improve this.
All investigations into offences of exposure will be led by CID who are specially trained to look into more serious and complex crimes.
We’re increasing capacity in our intelligence teams to identify perpetrators and linked offences, so we can get ahead of the curve and stop offenders in their tracks.
We work with survivors, experts and criminal justice partners to better our understanding of these offences, their impact and offenders.
We use a range of tactics, including Project Vigilant, to proactively identify sexual predatory behaviour, and overt and covert patrols to identify and deter offenders.
